The present research
work was carried out in six villages of Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh to
study application of plants at home scale level in treating various kinds of
ailments. The information was documented using questionnaire and PRA techniques
with the help of village elders, key informants and local healers. In the
present study, thirty-one plant species used by the villagers for the treatment
of various diseases at home scale level were identified. Twenty plant species
were used for curing more than one disease. Three plants, Aloe barbadensis Mill., Asparagus
racemosus Roxb. and Tinospora
cordifolia Willd. were used against more than five diseases. It was found
that elder people had more inclination towards herbal medicines followed by
middle and young people. Since the knowledge of various medicinal plants being
used in herbal treatment and their method of use is confined to mostly local
healers, it is of utmost importance to record this knowledge for future
generations, otherwise, it will be lost forever.

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